In response to the United State Supreme Court decision that reversed the 1973 opinion Roe v Wade that protected a pregnant person’s right to abortion for over 50 years, The Womxn Project organized a protest at the Rhode Island State House that drew over 1500 people. Though the right to abortion is protected, for the moment, under Rhode Island law, across the country states are moving quickly to outlaw abortion, and plans are underway to enact cruel laws that may lead to the imprisonment of women who seek an abortion illegally in their state or travel to a place where abortion is still legal to terminate a pregnancy.

Earlier in the day, The Womxn Project released the following statement:

“The US Supreme Court just overturned Roe and Casey. Precedent for 50 years gone. There is so much more to say, but know that the impact will be swift and devastating. This decision will not only severely limit abortion access in at least 26 states and territories, but will exacerbate existing barriers, especially for people of color, individuals with low incomes, and immigrants.

“Hostile states will likely try to ban abortion, but here in Rhode Island because of the work that we did together over decades and the passage of the Reproductive Privacy Act in 2019, abortion is legal and we still have the right. Yes, that should be a comfort to anyone who needs care or will need or want to end a pregnancy in the coming days, but it is also a call to action. We need to speak up loudy and defiantly to make it clear that abortion IS a right and should be accessible for everyone everywhere. 

“That means investing in the abortion funds and support networks who will be working hard to make sure people can get care. It also means holding accountable the politicians in Congress and right here who have not done more – not done their job to protect our rights and not just ensure, but expand access. A majority of Rhode Islanders supported the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act and a majority of the 2022 General Assembly signed on, but Governor McKee, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio didn’t get the job done. The governor allowed a budget to pass that denied insurance benefits for abortion for state employees and people who use Medicaid and the leadership refused to allow the bill to get a vote on the floor. In spite of a constant public outcry, they did not do what was needed to make sure the right we worked so hard to protect would be made real for people facing financial barriers. Well trust that we will remember this in the coming elections. We will remember – and call out – every elected official who got in the way of doing more to ensure true access to abortion care.

“But getting rid of the ban on coverage isn’t enough. The Womxn Project and our partners are demanding more. We are going to continue to educate, organize and mobilize to get rid of the policy that forces young people to involve a parent and pushes care out of reach. We will expand who can provide aboriton care in order to expand access to services. We will address the laws that fuel mass incarceration, but also make sure that if the state puts people behind bars that they do not lose their humanity or access to the full range of reproductive health care they need, including abortion. We will spotlight the harm of fake clinics and make sure they don’t get state funds to prey on people who need real health care and accurate information. We will work with our partners and volunteers to do all we can to make sure that regardless of age or income, race or immigration status that no matter what people will get the information, support and services they need to plan their families, manage their health, and plan their families and futures. NO MATTER WHAT WE WILL CARE FOR US! 

“But it is not enough just to speak out and show up for abortion rights and reproductive health information and care. Abortion access is one of several fundamental rights under attack in the U.S., including our right to vote, racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and a host of other rights intertwined with our right to liberty in which Roe v. Wade was grounded, such as contraception and marriage equality. This fight is so much more than abortion – though it is also about being unequivocally in support of abortion when anyone wants care. 

“Let’s be clear that this ruling is truly catastrophic, but the work and the fight iis not over. It will never be over. We will keep speaking up and showing up to ensure we control our bodies, our families and our futures – that we can all live healthy lives with dignity. We don’t depend on courts and politicians. We depend on each other! And that is what gives us hope – that together we are strong. We have seen time and again how much amazing progress is possible when we leverage our collective strength.”

The rally/protest began with an introduction from Emily Boucher, a boardmember of The Womxn Project.

Jocelyn Foye is the executive director ofThe Womxn Project:

Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies is the executive director of the Economic Progress Institute

The Reverend Dr. Donnie Anderson, representing the RI Women’s Democratic Caucus:

Dr. Mark Ryan from the RI Healthcare Access and Affordability Partnership

Kat, from the Party for Socialism and Liberation:

Jennifer Rourke, a board member at The Womxn Project:

A music interlude from the Latin Baroque Fusion Band:

Bella Robinson, executive director of Coyote RI:

Charlotte Gagnon, from the The Womxn Project and Haus of Codec:

Jackie Anderson, a labor and delivery care nurse:

Deja, eight years-old:

Reverend Denis Paul from the Unitarian Universalists of South County:

Gretchen Raffa, from Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island:

Angela McCalla from the Women’s Fund of RI:

Dr. Ogechukwu Uwanaka, MD:

Alicia Gauvin executive director at SHIP:

Stephanie Olarte, board member at the The Womxn Project:

Jocelyn Foye is the executive director ofThe Womxn Project:

During the program there was an altercation at the edge of the crowd between members of the “freedom Fighters” a right wing organization and people at the rally. Details are unclear as of this writing, but it appears several assaults may have occurred, including one in which Jennifer Rourke, a speaker at the rally and candidate for political office, was assaulted by an off duty Providence Police officer running for the same seat. Providence journal reporter Amy Russo and independent reporter Bill Bartholowmew have more on this. At one point one of the “Freedom Fighters” was apparently punched by an unknown assailant. The clip below is from the stage of the event, where Emily Boucher is repeatedly telling the crowd not to touch the counterprotestors.